2008 One Pound

Two different £1 coins were issued in 2008. The first is identical to the 2003 and 1998 £1 coins (using the original 1983 reverse). It was decided that all UK circulating coins with £1 value and lower should be re-designed. During 2008 both the old and the new design were released into circulation.

The obverse portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley was used on all UK circulated coinage from 1998 to 2014 and on many coins dated 2015. It was the fourth portrait of the Queen used on coinage.

The reverse design shows the United Kingdom Royal Arms by Eric Sewell. The edge inscription ‘DECUS ET TUTAMEN’ is Latin for ‘An ornament and safeguard’ and was originally used on coins so that the public could tell that the edge was complete, and therefore that the coin was of good weight (without clipped edges).

The obverse portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley was used on all UK circulated coinage from 1998 to 2014 and on many coins dated 2015. The new 2008 – 2015 coins have no rim beading on either side.

The reverse design shows the shield of the Royal Arms by Matthew Dent. The edge inscription is ‘DECUS ET TUTAMEN’, as above. Matthew (Matt) Dent won the competition to design the all-new 2008 coinage. He grew up in Wales and studied Graphic design at the University of Brighton.

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